AMA ATV Motocross Nationals Round #7 - Sunday Creek Millfield, Ohio June 30, 2012

Last season, Baldwin Motorsports’ Josh Upperman took the overall win at Sunday Creek and this year, he definitely had something to prove in his home state. Upperman was in third off the start in moto one, but was unable to hold off John Natalie and fell back for a fourth place finish. For the second moto however, Upperman was on fire. Upperman was in third off the start behind Chad Wienen and John Natalie. Upperman looked fast, smooth and confident as he stayed right on Natalie’s grab bar and began to challenge him for second.

In Moto One, Baldwin Motorsport's #20 Josh Upperman battled with Can-Am's #1 John Natalie for several laps with Natalie making the pass & Upperman taking the 4th spot in Moto One

In Moto 2, PEP's Josh Upperman secured the 3rd spot, which earned Ohio's own the final spot on the Podium, which was Upperman's first Podium finish since the season opener at Georgia & he is currently holding down the 4th spot in points just 11 pts ahead of Thomas Brown

“I got a good start in both motos and I went out there and gave it everything I had. It felt great to be on the podium in my home state in front of all my family and friends that came out here to support me today. I also want to thank all of our sponsors for helping me come out here and do well. This was a good weekend for us and I’m really happy to be on the podium,” said Upperman.

Pro ATV Motocross Podium (left to right) Joel Hetrick (2nd), Chad Wienen (1st), Josh Upperman (3rd)

Can-Am/Motoworks’ John Natalie, Jr., was looking for another overall win in hopes of closing the points gap even more, but this weekend the win would elude the defending champ. Natalie was in fourth off the start in moto one, and after just a couple laps, made his way around Josh Upperman for third. Natalie then chased down Chad Wienen and closed in for the pass, but Wienen shut him down with each attempt. Natalie eventually fell back late in the moto and settle for a third place finish.

In the second moto, Natalie was second off the line and sticking close to Chad Wienen, but he was immediately under pressure from Josh Upperman. Natalie held off Upperman for one lap, but Upperman got by and Natalie dropped back to third. From there it appeared that either the heat or a possible mechanical issue was affecting Natalie and he fell back again after Joel Hetrick made a challenge. Natalie fell off the pace, but was able to maintain the number five spot as he crossed the finish line, giving him fourth overall for the day.

Motoworks' #1 John Natalie Jr battled early on in Moto 2 with #88 Joel Hetrick, but in the end, Natalie had his worst finish of the season going 3-5 for 4th Overall, which was Natalie first time not finishing on the Podium

Yamaha/Ballance Racing’s Thomas Brown was looking strong again for this round. Brown was in the top five off the start in moto one and held his position from start to finish. In the final laps of the moto, he was closing in on Josh Upperman, but ran out of time before he was able to make a move and took fifth at the checkered flag.

For moto two, Brown was in fourth off the start and only fell back after Joel Hetrick came charging through. Brown was looking strong and was closing in on John Natalie at the midway point. After a couple of laps, Brown was able to take over the number four spot and hold it all the way to the finish line for a fourth place moto two finish and rounding out the top five overall.

Mark Madl put in a solid race as he rode to a sixth place finish in moto one. In moto two, Madl had his hands full and battled almost the entire moto with Jeffrey Rastrelli. The pair swapped positions numerous times, but Madl was able to come out ahead and take sixth at the checkered flag for sixth overall for the day.

Adam Clark put together two solid motos, going 7-8 for seventh overall.

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